Students share their culture, talents during opening of NAU Ethnic Studies Program’s ‘Wings of Change: Our Narratives Reclaimed’ art exhibit

Students share their culture, talents during opening of NAU Ethnic Studies Program’s ‘Wings of Change: Our Narratives Reclaimed’ art exhibit

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FLAGSTAFF — From an enchanting scene featuring a colorful butterfly, nopales, roses and seeds soaring to the heavens, to an image stating “Education is NOT a Crime — Making Our Ancestors Proud,” students from throughout the region displayed their heartfelt images in an exhibit of more than 30 murals and mix-media projects during the annual “Wings of Change: Our Narratives Reclaimed” exhibit presented by the NAU Ethnic Studies Program. The exhibit opened March 26 at NAU’s School of Behavioral Science West Building, Suite 100 (Building 70) in the south campus. Featuring the artwork by NAU Ethnic Studies 160 and 100 classes, Ponderosa High School, Leupp Public Schools and T-schools, the exhibit touches on a variety of cultures including African-America, Asian, European, Jewish, Mexican-American/Hispanic, Muslim and Native American indigenous peoples. Themes feature images ranging from United Farm Workers of America protest murals, to those touching on Día de los Muertos/Day of the Dead and a Hopi Kachina Soyoko.
Coalition of groups gather at Flagstaff City Hall on March 24 to protest Rep. Eli Crane

Coalition of groups gather at Flagstaff City Hall on March 24 to protest Rep. Eli Crane

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Also see Arizona Daily Sun: 'Where's Eli?' Flagstaff citizens call out Congressman Crane for lack of engagement with community FLAGSTAFF — Hundreds of individuals from a variety of groups gathered in front of the Flagstaff City Hall to protest against Rep. Eli Crane, R-Arizona on Monday, March 24. The groups, and some Republican constituents, have criticized Crane for refusing to hold open town halls, resulting in a growing number protests including an event in Cottonwood on March 19. The Arizona Daily Sun reported that more than 300 took part in the protest in front of the Flagstaff City Hall. Crane’s office reported that its staff met with Pastor Randall Miller of Northland Baptist Church and students from Northland Preparatory Academy in Flagstaff on Monday, posting a photo of the meeting on Facebook, which included comments by individuals asking Crane to meet with the public. Some of the groups supporting the protest at the Flagstaff City Hall include Arizona Progressive Action Committee, Arizona Students Association, Coconino Democrats, 50501 and Indivisible Northern Arizona.
Channeling the spirit of César E. Chávez, community leaders provide passionate response to our times at annual community breakfast

Channeling the spirit of César E. Chávez, community leaders provide passionate response to our times at annual community breakfast

Posted inDiversity, Education, Events, Immigration, local, newsNo Comments
FLAGSTAFF — With a mixture of fiery speeches, presentations featuring the importance of telling everyone’s stories and a commitment to refusing to be erased from the history books (video clip*), the 7th annual Coconino Hispanic Advisory Council’s (CHAC) César E. Chávez Community Breakfast took on a more feisty tone this year. The event, held at the American Legion Post 3, included an opening presentation of the importance of remember the community’s history presented by Dr. Pedro A. Cuevas, assistant teaching professor at the Dept. of Ethnic Studies at Northern Arizona University.
Culture Connection AZ presents ‘Disappeared: Portraits of Absence, Songs of Resistence’ — A powerful evening of music, art and remembrance at the Flagstaff Historic Ice House on April 4

Culture Connection AZ presents ‘Disappeared: Portraits of Absence, Songs of Resistence’ — A powerful evening of music, art and remembrance at the Flagstaff Historic Ice House on April 4

Posted inDiversity, Education, Events, Immigration, local, newsNo Comments
FLAGSTAFF — Culture Connection AZ invites the community to Disappeared: Portraits of Absence, Songs of Resistance, an evening of powerful music and art dedicated to honoring the victims of forced disappearance and the global movements seeking justice. This interdisciplinary event will take place during the First Friday ArtWalk on April 4th at the Historic Ice House on Birch Ave and will feature an exhibition, live performances, and a space for community reflection and solidarity. Through music, photography, poetry, and historical storytelling, Disappeared will illuminate the human cost of these crimes while celebrating the resilience of those who refuse to let these stories be forgotten.
The NAU Diversity’s Commissions’ Film Festival, free, to be held on April 7

The NAU Diversity’s Commissions’ Film Festival, free, to be held on April 7

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The films will include both documentary and narrative and will celebrate personal stories but also raise important issues around building inclusive communities. Following the films, a panel composed of the VP of Inclusive Excellence, the Co-Chairs of the Diversity Commissions and the president of Club ADA will take questions from the audience. This event is sponsored by Club ADA. Free and open to everyone!
American Immigration Council — Healthcare Shortages Grip the Country

American Immigration Council — Healthcare Shortages Grip the Country

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 LATEST ANALYSIS  States with Healthcare Shortages Turn to Foreign-Trained Doctors, Showing Bipartisan Immigration Policies Benefit All At a time when immigration policy remains one of the most divisive issues in American politics, an area of bipartisan agreement has emerged: expanding licensure pathways for international medical graduates.  
The Lighter side

The Lighter side

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Sometimes, we just need to breathe, take care of ourselves and enjoy the funniest political moments of the day. Besides, here are some useful quotes on using humor as a weapon against those with authoritarian tendencies. ... "Satire make them look human and make people fear them less ... If you remembered a joke whenever you looked at a wannabe/existing dictator would you fear them as much? ... Dictatorships are primarily based on fear and satire and fun can puncture the illusion of power" — Madhur Chadha
March 2025 Native Health Newsletter

March 2025 Native Health Newsletter

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Spring is here and we're busy! March is a beautiful month and there's so much happening in the community. As you know from my monthly letters, we're growing and in need of dedicated community members to help guide our way. If you are interested in being a member of our Board of Directors, please consider applying. There is a monthly time commitment, but you can make a difference in the direction of NATIVE HEALTH. For more information, please contact Cherie.
American Immigration Council’s ‘This Week in Immigration’ — Trump’s Mass Child Deportation Plan

American Immigration Council’s ‘This Week in Immigration’ — Trump’s Mass Child Deportation Plan

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 LATEST ANALYSIS  State, Federal Policies Escalate Attacks on Immigrant Children Federal and state policy efforts targeting immigrant kids are on the rise. The new wave of cruelty includes plans that plainly violate existing law. Many of these attacks seem designed to tee up court battles intended to weaken the rights and wellbeing of children in the United States.  
Update — Consumers take part in ‘Buy Nothing Day’ on Feb. 28. More protests to come

Update — Consumers take part in ‘Buy Nothing Day’ on Feb. 28. More protests to come

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Please see related stories — • AP — Economic blackout: Will a 24-hour boycott make a difference? • Lincoln County Leader — Letter: “Buy Nothing Day’ on Friday NATIONAL — A variety of organizations are planning for a national “No Buy Day“ to protest what they believe is corporate greed, along with efforts by corporations to scale back their diversity, equity and inclusion efforts (DEI), which they say is led by the Trump administration. CBS News has reported the economic boycott has been spreading on social media (see link below). In Arizona, the Arizona Republic reported the following “companies have rolled back DEI in the past year:”
Arizona Office of Indian Education — Bi-weekly Highlights

Arizona Office of Indian Education — Bi-weekly Highlights

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Dear Partners in Education,The Office of Indian Education strives to meet the educational and cultural needs of Native American students across Arizona. With bi-weekly highlights, our goal is to provide consistent communication, share valuable resources, and highlight meaningful opportunities that may benefit Indigenous communities, including educators, students, and parents.(Note: if email appears cut-off, please find and click "View entire message" to display all.) 
Flagstaff joins nationwide 2025 Presidents’ Day protest rallies

Flagstaff joins nationwide 2025 Presidents’ Day protest rallies

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FLAGSTAFF — More than 500 people took part in a National Day of Protest event at the Flagstaff City Hall on Feb. 17. The protests were part of a nationwide demonstration against the Trump administration and its ongoing efforts to close federal agencies and fire thousands of federal workers. The event in Flagstaff also included a rally to Support Federal Works and Public Lands. Local media covering the event included the Arizona Daily Sun, KAFF News, AZ Family and KNAU.
African Diaspora Advisory Council announces 2025 Black History Month Essay Contest

African Diaspora Advisory Council announces 2025 Black History Month Essay Contest

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COCONINO COUNTY — The Coconino County African Diaspora Advisory Council (ADAC) is pleased to announce the annual Black History Month Essay Contest, open to students in Middle School and High School. The 2025 Black History Month Theme is “African Americans and Labor.” This theme highlights the impact of Black people’s work and how it shapes the experiences of Black people and the societies in which they live.
Immigration rights supporters take to the streets of Flagstaff on Feb. 7. See related stories

Immigration rights supporters take to the streets of Flagstaff on Feb. 7. See related stories

Posted inImmigration, local, newsNo Comments
FLAGSTAFF — More than 200 immigration rights supporters took to the streets to protest against the Trump Administration's mass deportation effort as part of a growing nationwide resistance movement. Shouting "USA" and carrying American and Mexican flags along with a variety of protest signs, the march began after a short rally at a Fourth Street shopping center, moving west along Route 66 before gathering at the Flagstaff City Hall. During the march, the protesters were escorted by members of the Flagstaff Police Dept., with passing motorists honking their horns in support of the marchers.